Explanation Needed: How Do UPS Power Supply Works?
You probably have seen the term UPS used in relation to computer technology. For the non-tech-savvy, the first thing that comes to mind is the worldly known parcel service we've all grown to rely on over the years. No, what UPS is in regards to technology, is an acronym for uninterruptible power supply. How it works is relatively simple. In this newly written episode of Explanation Needed, we'll cover how the UPS power supply function.
How Exactly Does Uninterruptible Power Supply Function?
An uninterruptible power supply is a battery backup that provides backup power when a regular power source at home or office suddenly fails or drops in voltage to an unacceptable level. What UPS does is allow users to shut down computers and other connected equipment safely. When using a UPS, the goal is to thwart potential damage to computer systems and electronic equipment.
Image Source: Nerd Techy
There are Different UPS topologies.
There are different levels to UPS that come in the form of topologies, three to be exact. You have Standby, Line-Interactive, and Double conversion. Standby is considered to be the most basic UPS topology. A standby resorts to battery backup power in any problematic power issue such as an area blackout, voltage sag, or voltage surge. When incoming utility power drops below or surges well above safe voltage levels, the UPS will switch to battery power and invert it to AC power to run any connected equipment. This model is designed explicitly for consumer electronics, entry-level computers, security systems, and other electronic equipment.
UPS technology comes to play with line-interactive, allowing any minor power fluctuation ( during under-voltage and overvoltage) without switching to full battery backup. Line-interactive UPS models are typically used for consumer electronics, PCs, gaming consoles, home theater systems, network equipment, and mid-range servers.
This is an actual UPS power supply connected to series of data servers
With double-conversion (online), the UPS will provide consistent, clean, and quintessential power regardless of incoming energy. This form of UPS will convert incoming AC power to DC and then back to AC. UPS systems with this specific technology will operate on isolated DC power at 100-percent and have zero transfer time, mainly because you never need to switch to DC power. Double-conversion UPS primarily protects critical IT equipment, data center components, high-end servers, large telecom installations, storage applications, and highly advanced network equipment. You'll gain full protection from power blackout, voltage sag, over-voltage surge, and voltage spikes.
